In anticipation of the decision to employ Saudi women in perfume and cosmetics shops in the Kingdom, a popular cosmetics store here has already hired five Saudi women well before the June 30 deadline. In an interview with Al-Watan newspaper, the five Saudi women said they support the plan and think it will be a huge success. The women said they were given training courses in marketing international perfume and make-up products by the Chamber of Commerce, something they feel will help them assimilate into their new jobs. Widad Zamzami, a university graduate, has been working at the Zamzami Perfumes and Cosmetics Female Center for four months and is given a salary of SR3,000, of which her employer pays 50 percent, while the Human Resources Fund pays the rest. Zamzami said she and her colleagues encountered some difficulties at the beginning of their employment but things have gradually improved. “Men who came into the store with their wives and daughters were initially suspicious of us but I think they have become more comfortable with the idea of their women buying beauty products from other women. We have gained everyone's acceptance over the past few months,” she said. Turkeia Al-Dossari, a middle school graduate who she taken several courses in marketing and has experience selling skin care products, was able to get her job through the Taif Chamber of Commerce. According to Al-Dossari, it took some convincing for men to accept that their wives and daughters could go to the Zamzami Center without a male escort. “The center is exclusively for women and I think shop owners need to continue to show men that their women will no longer be harassed by salesmen,” said Al-Dossari. Reem Al-Mawled called on authorities to offer special courses in marketing accessories and rare stones and said the media should be more supportive of women's employment. “Society's awareness and acceptance is important for us and the media can play a positive role in shaping society's views,” said Al-Mawled. Muhammad Zamzami, owner of a perfume shop, said he became interested in hiring women after they had obtained the necessary training and is happy with the results so far. “Our saleswomen work from 4 P.M. to 11 P.M. and are paid SR3,000 monthly. They are learning quickly and I have confidence in the future of our business.”
